May 1, 2006 – Imagine a place where getting off the GO train and onto a bike is as easy as pushing a button. Now add a car-sharing station, secure bicycle lockers for parking, and wireless internet to check the time of the next streetcar. This is a New Mobility HUB, launched April 25 at Exhibition Place-Liberty Village.

Co-funded by Transport Canada and the City of Toronto, the New Mobility HUB project brings together BikeShare, TTC, GO Transit, AutoShare, improved cycling facilities, tourist information and wireless internet access, creating one-stop shopping for Toronto’s sustainable transportation needs. By developing the convenience of Toronto’s transportation services, the New Mobility HUB project is expected to encourage use of sustainable forms of transportation, including bicycle and car-sharing, and take cars off the road. The New Mobility HUB, at Exhibition Place-Liberty Village, is in an area that is rapidly growing, as condos go up and development continues.

“The New Mobility HUB project lends itself well to encouraging sustainable transportation, connecting trips made by transit, bicycle and carshare. This initiative will help people to easily combine trips using alternatives to the private car,” said Councillor Adam Giambrone, chair of the city’s cycling committee and vice-chair of the TTC.

Moving The Economy’s New Mobility HUB project is aimed at creating seamless and convenient connections between Toronto’s many transportation services. “Toronto has several convenient transportation networks,” said Briana Illingworth, Executive Director, Moving The Economy, “but for the most part, the different networks are isolated from one another. It’s not always straightforward and convenient to get from one to another. The New Mobility HUB Project enhances what already exists in Toronto by connecting these systems.”

“Across Europe, hubs are recognized as the best way to organize transportation, giving people quick and easy access to the best mode that suits their needs as they run errands, commute to work or school, and travel within the city,” said New Mobility HUB project partner Kevin McLaughlin, AutoShare President.

New Mobility HUB Project partners include the City of Toronto, Community Bicycle Network, Exhibition Place, GO Transit, TTC, Autoshare, Canadian Urban Institute, Canadian Urban Transit Association, Clean Air Foundation, Green Tourism Association, Parc Downsview Park, Smart Commute Association, Smart Commute North Toronto, Vaughan and York University.

Moving The Economy is a partnership of the city of the City of Toronto, Transportation Options (an NGO) and the Federal Government of Canada. Moving The Economy works locally and internationally with a broad range of industry, government, community, labour and academic stakeholders to carry out its mission and its projects.